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Do you think Rua Ngatikaura could at some stage fullfill that role Paws?
John Bateman #268
- Thread starter tigersrule4life
- Start date
pawsandclaws1
Well-known member
I think Justin Matamua is the obvious choice. He apparently has impressed Sheens so much he is in the 30. Chris Faagutu is another highly rated 13 but sill very young. Ngatikaura is the ideal utility being able to cover 9 and 13 from the interchange.
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Interesting 🤔
I like a ball playing lock to be an elusive player, someone who has a good pass and can change direction and run through a gap. Has an offload too.... Bateman has all that.
If they're a log they become robotic and easily dealt with. James Graham, when he first hit the seen, played that link role quiet well until opposition realized his feet were stuck in concrete and the dogs attack was stifled.
Justin is a big lad and I can't wait to see if what your saying is true. How many days now 🤔
426Tlgerland
Well-known member
Any news on His arrival to Australia , heard it was visa delay , what’s the normal time to get a visa ,
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Tigers recruit was “in two minds” before deciding on NRL return.
“There was a chance it could go either way.”
Wests Tigers recruit John Bateman was reportedly "caught in two minds" whether to return to the NRL or remain with Super League outfit the Wigan Warriors before a final meeting decided his fate.
Bateman inked a four-year deal to land at Concord and return to Australia after 42 appearances for the Warriors across 2021-2022, with the Bradford-born forward now set to add to his career down under after playing two seasons with the Canberra Raiders before returning home.
The signing of Bateman adds to a strong year of recruitment ahead of the 2023 season for the Tigers, who have also welcomed Apisai Koroisau, Isaiah Papali'i and David Klemmer to their forward pack for Tim Sheens' return to the coaches box.
Bateman, who has tallied over 250 appearances at either the domestic or international level, remained a chance to stick with the Warriors for another year before signing with the Tigers, with Wigan coach Matt Peet revealing his star second-rower was strongly considering the option of continuing his career in England.
While Peet was aware that "there was a chance it could go either way", a final meeting with Bateman soon settled the forward's future.
"We've spoken to him a couple of times and wish him all the best," Peet said, via Wigan Today. "We would like to see him go over there and succeed because he remains a friend of the club.
“He was only clear (that he wanted to leave) right at the end.
“For a while he seemed to be caught in two minds, and it was only in my very last meeting with him that it was clear that his mind was made up. The club and Wests came to an agreement quickly.
“It would've been great if it had been dealt with quicker but with the World Cup it wasn't meant to be.
“I was always aware that there was a chance it could go either way, and I got my head around that."
Bateman will be in the frame to make his NRL return in Round 1 when the Tigers host Gold Coast at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, March 5.
The Englishman will have to wait to face his old side however, with the Tigers not scheduled to clash with Canberra until Round 14 of the NRL season, which will commence in June.
I can't wait to see John play against the Raiders and beat them.
“There was a chance it could go either way.”
Wests Tigers recruit John Bateman was reportedly "caught in two minds" whether to return to the NRL or remain with Super League outfit the Wigan Warriors before a final meeting decided his fate.
Bateman inked a four-year deal to land at Concord and return to Australia after 42 appearances for the Warriors across 2021-2022, with the Bradford-born forward now set to add to his career down under after playing two seasons with the Canberra Raiders before returning home.
The signing of Bateman adds to a strong year of recruitment ahead of the 2023 season for the Tigers, who have also welcomed Apisai Koroisau, Isaiah Papali'i and David Klemmer to their forward pack for Tim Sheens' return to the coaches box.
Bateman, who has tallied over 250 appearances at either the domestic or international level, remained a chance to stick with the Warriors for another year before signing with the Tigers, with Wigan coach Matt Peet revealing his star second-rower was strongly considering the option of continuing his career in England.
While Peet was aware that "there was a chance it could go either way", a final meeting with Bateman soon settled the forward's future.
"We've spoken to him a couple of times and wish him all the best," Peet said, via Wigan Today. "We would like to see him go over there and succeed because he remains a friend of the club.
“He was only clear (that he wanted to leave) right at the end.
“For a while he seemed to be caught in two minds, and it was only in my very last meeting with him that it was clear that his mind was made up. The club and Wests came to an agreement quickly.
“It would've been great if it had been dealt with quicker but with the World Cup it wasn't meant to be.
“I was always aware that there was a chance it could go either way, and I got my head around that."
Bateman will be in the frame to make his NRL return in Round 1 when the Tigers host Gold Coast at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, March 5.
The Englishman will have to wait to face his old side however, with the Tigers not scheduled to clash with Canberra until Round 14 of the NRL season, which will commence in June.
I can't wait to see John play against the Raiders and beat them.
It is visa issues that’s delayed his arrival.
Club has an immigration lawyer working on trying to sort it out but still a while to go.
They’re hoping he’ll be here at some stage in January, so they can get him prepped for the second trial game.
Bubba
Active member
Is anyone else concerned that John Bateman has signed a "Work From Home" contract?
🙂
🙂
crazycat
Well-known member
Your profile is Tim Sheens.
He turned Gareth Ellis into a ball player!
The one thing Sheens can do is turn a good forward into a ball player.
tig_prmz
Well-known member
From memory, Ellis never did ball playing. He usually ran good lines, excellent defence and in general a good ball runner. Payten and Fulton did most of the ball playing. Keith and Gibbs very rarely too.
Bubba
Active member
Gaz wasn't a ball player.
He was a runner, a hard runner and a line runner.
He was an absolute smashing machine defence too!
God bless him.
happy_tiger
Well-known member
Flick pass to benji v Warriors in the miracle game ...but apart from that ran great lines .....
rihannafan1
Well-known member
That was a breathtaking pass. What a freak.
I'd love to see his post contact metres conceded average. Every time i seen him tackle they just stopped in place.
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A bit of personal stuff that shows the other side of John.
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
Good stuff CC. Is his daughter coming over, or staying in the UK ? That was the issue at Canberra, wasn’t it?
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I could be wrong mate but I thought it was mentioned that she is either here or coming over. Now that we've both mentioned it someone with enlightened us.
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He has two daughters Browny hey, he has one with his Australian partner and a teenager in England.
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
I actually knew that, my error, I was referring to his daughter in the video. Cheers.
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Ah, sorry. I hope he doesn't get too mellow on us Browny 🤣
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
On another matter, that is an impressive video of the Panthers boot camp.
Did you hear Ivan’s comments, trust the process, listening/ communication skills etc.
Interesting that they ran it in Penrith rather than taking them away.
Hope our guys watch and absorb some of the key lessons to supplement our own training methods.
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